An ethnobotanical study of forage plants in Zhuxi County in the Qinba mountainous area of central China

Yang, Jun; Luo, Jifeng; Gan, Qi-Liang; Ke, Leiyu; Zhang, Fengming; Guo, Hairu; Zhao, Fangchen; Wang, Yue‐Hu

doi:10.1016/j.pld.2020.12.008

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 49 publications

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“…Local people usually use the dry stems and leaves of these plants as the main source of feed when forage plants are lacking in the winter. This is because Fabaceae and Poaceae plants are generally recognized as suitable forage plants [ 61 – 63 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An ethnobiological study on traditional knowledge associated with black-boned sheep (Ovis aries) in Northwest Yunnan, China

Fan

Cheng

Liu

et al. 2022

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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Background Black-boned sheep is a precious genetic resource with black quality traits cultivated by the Pumi people in Tongdian Town, Lanping County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Northwest Yunnan, China. It has been included in the “National Breed List of Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources.” The local communities have a deep understanding of black-boned sheep. The traditional knowledge of black-boned sheep is essential to their conservation and sustainable development. In spite of this, there was no information on traditional knowledge associated with black-boned sheep so far. The aim of this study wasaimed to document traditional knowledge and culture, to elucidate information about forage plants, and to investigate the conservation strategy of black-boned sheep. Method Four field surveys were conducted from July 2019 to May 2021. A total of seven villages and the Pumi Culture Museum in Lanping County are being investigated. A semi-structured interview method was used to interview 67 key informants. During the investigation, we also participated in the grazing activities of black-boned sheep, observed the appearance characteristics and the herd structure of the black-boned sheep, and demonstrated traditional knowledge regarding black-boned sheep, including grazing methods, forage plants, and related customs and habits. Results We assumed that a majority of people in the current study sites were able to could distinguish black-boned sheep from their relatives by their black bones, blue-green gums, and blue-purple anus. The local people manage their black-boned sheep based on the number of sheep by sex, age, and role in a flock in the different breeding environments. Different grazing strategies have been adopted in different seasons. Through ethnobotanical investigations, 91 species of forage plants in 30 families were identified, including herbaceous, shrubs, lianas, and trees. Among all the plant species consumed by the black-boned sheep, Rosaceae species make up the greatest number, with 16, followed by Asteraceae, with 9, and 8 species of Fabaceae and Poaceae. Considering the abundance of forage plants and the preference for black-boned sheep, Prinsepia utilis and the plants of Rubus, Berberis, and Yushania occupy dominant positions. Plants used for foraging are divided into two categories: wild and cultivated. Due to the lack of forage plants in fall and winter, the local people mainly cultivate crops to feed their black-boned sheep. In addition, the black-boned sheep is an influential cultural species in the local community and plays a prominent role in the cultural identity of the Pumi people. Conclusion Sheep play an essential role in the inheritance of the spiritual culture and material culture of the Pumi ethnic group. The formation of the black-boned sheep is inseparable from the worship of sheep by the Pumi people. With a long-term grazing process, the locals have developed a variety of traditional knowledge related to black-boned sheep. This is the experience that locals have accumulated when managing forests and grasslands. Therefore, both the government and individuals should learn from the local people when it comes to protecting black-boned sheep. No one knows black-boned sheep better than them. The foremost evidence of this is the rich traditional knowledge of breeding black-boned sheep presented by key informants.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An ethnobiological study on traditional knowledge associated with black-boned sheep (Ovis aries) in Northwest Yunnan, China

Fan

Cheng

Liu

et al. 2022

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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“…1). Subsequently, purposive sampling was employed to select respondents with abundant traditional knowledge of pig farming for interviews [3,29]. A total of 72 respondents participated in the study, comprising 25 females and 47 males, with an average age of 55.8 years and an average pig farming experience of 26.9 years.…”

Section: Study Area and Methodologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, with improvements in living standards and changes in feeding practices, many traditional wild-feed plants have been replaced by fermented feed and cultivated plants. Similar to other Chinese local pig breeds [29], the traditional knowledge about the utilization and management of wild feed plants is facing signi cant risks of extinction in the local community.…”

Section: The Traditional Feed Of Luchuan Pigsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Feed Plants, Ethnoveterinary Medicine, and Biocultural Values: Insights on the Luchuan Pig from Hakka Communities in China

Liufu,

Zhou,

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background The Luchuan pig is an indigenous breed from Luchuan County, China, with cultural and genetic significance. However, traditional knowledge and conservation status have not been systematically documented. Methods Using ethnobiological methods, we surveyed 72 Luchuan pig farmers in 7 townships during 2021–2023. Semi-structured interviews and participant observation were conducted to document traditional knowledge and management practices. Results The locals reported 51 plant species used as pig feed, with 30 wild species. Growth-stage-specific feeding and seasonal adjustment practices were documented. We recorded 62 ethnoveterinary plant uses, mainly for treating pigs' heat stress and skin conditions. Luchuan pigs play central roles in Hakka customs, rituals, and cuisine. While the ecological farming model minimizes environmental impacts, challenges remain for conserving and promoting local pigs. Conclusions The Luchuan Hakka people possess rich traditional knowledge and management experience in raising Luchuan pigs. Our study provides extensive documentation of traditional knowledge and recommends integrating cultural and genetic aspects for sustaining this biocultural heritage. Findings can inform initiatives supporting local breed conservation globally.

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“…The vast majority of plants mentioned by the informants reportedly worked well to treat the diseases they were used for. Furthermore, most of the informants discussed the impact of using folk traditions (19,20) .…”

Section: Plant Parts Usedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Folklore Claims of Ethno-Medicinal Plants Used by Ethnic People of Kohima District, Nagaland, India

Rajaganesh,

Sumedha,

Mathiyazhagan

et al. 2023

IJST

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Objectives: Investigation based on ethno botanical to gather the data on medicinal plants in Eastern Himalayas (Kohima district, Nagaland) was carried out in Kohima District, Nagaland. For the purpose of collecting information from the Naga tribes, an integrated approach involving botanical collections, group discussions, and interviews with questionnaires is used. Methods: The naturally growing or wild plants of the study area are used by many tribal people as food and medicine sources. Based on ancient methods of treatment using ethno-medicine, different types of trees, shrubs, herbs, and underground modifications such as roots, stalks, bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds have high value. Findings: In this study, a total of 60 ethno-medicinal plant species from 34 families are documented. There was documentation of the botanical name, family name, common name, local name, parts used, and medicinal applications. For treating illnesses, plant parts were usually preferred in the form of extract juice, extract, paste, or powder. The fresh parts of the plant were generally used to make medicines. Application: The acknowledged ethnomedicinal plants were found to be typically used to alleviate diseases, injury, rheumatic joins, diabetes and asthma. The indigenous knowledge available to these people are critical in detecting natural resources quickly and correctly.

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An ethnobotanical study of forage plants in Zhuxi County in the Qinba mountainous area of central China

Cited by 8 publications

References 49 publications

An ethnobiological study on traditional knowledge associated with black-boned sheep (Ovis aries) in Northwest Yunnan, China

An ethnobiological study on traditional knowledge associated with black-boned sheep (Ovis aries) in Northwest Yunnan, China

Feed Plants, Ethnoveterinary Medicine, and Biocultural Values: Insights on the Luchuan Pig from Hakka Communities in China

Folklore Claims of Ethno-Medicinal Plants Used by Ethnic People of Kohima District, Nagaland, India

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